FAC launch AFL Ladies’ Night

The AFL NSW/ACT Female Advisory Committee was formed three years ago to bring together a group of women from a variety of backgrounds – media, sports administration, business and public relations – to share ideas on how to make each area of the game more relevant and appealing to women. 



The FAC meets throughout the year and in addition to its main charter, works to create opportunities for the AFL to share Australia’s game with the business community.



After many months of planning, the FAC and AFL NSW/ACT held their first event on Saturday night, sponsored by Bio Elexia, to introduce women from all walks of life to the game of Aussie Rules and to show those already involved in the game other aspects of AFL they may not know.

The night was hosted by Channel 7’s Kylie Gillies, herself a member of the FAC, and opened with an insightful panel discussion with AFL Commissioners Sam Mostyn and Linda Dessau, former Sydney Swans captain and AFL NSW/ACT Deputy General Manager Craig Bolton and Tania Buckley, wife of former Collingwood captain and current coach Nathan.

Guests were also introduced to the rules of the game with a Fan Induction from the Sydney Swans membership team.



AFL NSW/ACT General Manager and former Geelong captain Tom Harley hosted the half-time presentation, fresh off a plane from commentating in Melbourne, and spoke in the gains the AFL have made so far in terms of female participation.

“We’re so lucky here in NSW, and in Sydney in particular, to have a thriving female football community made up of players, coaches, umpires, administrators and volunteers,” he said.

“In 2012 there were 37,207 female participants in NSW/ACT, which is just over 21 per cent of our total participants.

“Statewide we have the highest number of female Auskickers in the country, record numbers of schoolgirl participants and a growing Youth Girls participation base from both clubs and schools we’re making strong progress in our goal to create a viable player pathway for girls and women.

“But it’s not just on the field where women are becoming champions, more than 35 per cent of Australian football volunteers are women and every weekend you will see these dedicated women at clubs and grounds around Sydney  – coaching, umpiring, scoring, managing, cheer – you name it, they’re doing it.”



While the result may not have gone the way of Sydney Swans fans on the field, off the field the night was a resounding success.

Key Women in Football stats


• 37,207 female participants in NSW/ACT
• 12,019 female NAB AFL Auskick participants in NSW/ACT
• 136,133 female participants – including NAB AFL Auskick, club and AFL 9s across the nation
• 35 per cent of AFL club members are female
• 5500 female coaches nationally
• 2000 female umpires at all levels, nationally
• 35 per cent of Australian football volunteers are women